New to Nursing? 4 Pointers to Hit the Ground Running

Nursing is an intense, highly rewarding profession that is like none other. If you are a new nurse who has just graduated from school and started at your first job, you are going to want to do your best. Use these four pointers to hit the ground running in your new role.

Ask Questions

As a new nurse, you know you have a lot to learn, so never be afraid to ask questions. Doing so will prevent you from making major mistakes and make you better at your job in the process. It will also help acclimate you to the way your current employer likes things done. Your supervisor would much rather you ask questions than commit errors. Remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question. Your willingness to ask questions will be seen as devotion to your profession and will gain you respect.

Be Familiar with Common Technology

Nurses need to be familiar with technology now more than ever. It is estimated that ninety percent of all hospitals and office-based physicians have electronic health record (EHR) systems. Hopefully your nursing education prepared you for this by having you interact with common programs hospitals and other healthcare centers use. If not, you might be able to take certification courses for certain software offered by its developer.

Be Sure to Eat and Stay Hydrated

Given how busy nurses often are, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many skip meal breaks and ingest copious amounts of caffeine. You should never get into this habit. It will prevent you from performing at your best and giving your patients the best care. It will also wreak havoc on your own body, as too much caffeine or not drinking enough water will cause dehydration.

Slow down to Speed up

When things get hectic, you will be tempted to rush along. However, this is not a good idea. When you start rushing, you will miss something, which in medicine can mean life or death. If possible, taking a short break when you start to feel overwhelmed can refocus your mind. This will help you tackle your tasks more efficiently and without missing any important details. The best nurses realize this eventually, and you can get a head start by focusing on it early. A great example of this is preparing yourself by advancing your education. Consider looking into bsn to dnp programs online or similar programs.

Nursing is a stressful but extremely rewarding career. It is also unlike any other career in so many ways, and the techniques you need to use to be great at it are unique. These pointers should help you hit the ground running in your new nursing position.